Festive

It didn't have to be Christmas for Chris to have fun with friends. When this picture was taken at the start of the holiday season, he called it "Festive". Chris and Jess, Sarah and Brian join Greg at his house every weekend to hang out and often meet during the week. They are good kids, supporting each other at an age when they're still teenagers entering an adult world.

2010

The picture was taken with a cell phone camera. To enhance it, I edited it in Photoshop by duplicating a layer in black and white, then erasing the shirts to reveal the reds.

Digital Frame (Cottage Arts: Scrapedges 8)

The 00 Decade: "The boys grow up. Honoring our parents"

In 2003, I made layouts for each of the decades we've lived in beginning with the 1950s. (Yes, I'm that old!) I used excerpts from the book "Generations at Work" for the Seminal Events and Cultural Memorabilia to place on the layouts along with our recollections of the time.

And now we're about to close another decade! This decade began with the Y2K panic. On 9-11-2001 the World Trade Center & the Pentagon were jet-bombed by terrorists. The US and Allies overthrew and occupied Afghanistan and Iraq. The dot-com stock markets crashed and the "Harry Potter" books were published.

I have so many memories from this decade and pictures to help me remember. The journaling is placed behind the photo of Bob and I. Here are a few highlights: "We began the new century as a family of 4. Every Saturday Bob takes the boys to Pokemon League at the local comic store. Chris still joins me for reading at bedtime (a tradition started with Greg). Bob starts his job at the Dominion Post. Chris decorates his room all Sponge Bob. The boys & I visit Maxine bringing her lots of presents. Greg brings Michelle into our lives. Mom is honored in a Rosie the riveter ceremony and interview. Maxine passes away at age 85. Greg graduates high school with many honors. Dad is honored with many medals from the US Marines for his world War II service. Chris joins a search party when his friend Mikah's autistic brother is lost in the wilderness for days. Greg becomes a gaming journalist. My nephew Cale is born & nephew Brian is married. Chris is elected to state offices in TSA. Michelle graduates WVU with a double major & joins Cummins Diesel. I speak at an International Conference for the Whole Grains Council.

Bob and I work, work, work but so enjoy our time as a couple when we travel and take pictures. I think he appreciates my recording of memories".

December 2010

the 90s: "Raising kids who love to learn. Work we enjoy"

In the later 90s, our careers take a creative turn when Bob goes back into the newspaper business, taking a photography job at the Fairmont Times. I move back to the Health Sciences Center, managing the cafeterias in the old hospital. Our lives were full and good.

In 1992, Gregory enters Kindergarten at the Presbyterian Church,one of many good schools in his young life. Bob & begin dating again, taking mini vacations with Greg or overnights where Greg stays at Grandma Junes'. On February 8, 1993, Christopher Jordan Gay arrives into the world, one month before my 40th birthday. Chris' mind absorbs much through great preschools, observing his older brother and having parents who read to him.

Seminal events include: Operation Desert Storm, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. Memorabilia include: Barney, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dark Wing Duck, Miami Vice, Pogs & Beanie Babies.

the 80s: "Building a home & starting a family. Bob, Cindy & Greg"

We brought in the 80s in Charleston, WV, where Bob was an award winning news photographer and I worked as a consultant in school lunch and long term care. We moved back to Morgantown in 1982. Bob taught visual communications at Waynesburg College and I was the dietitian in WVU Dining Services. In 1984, we built our house on Mountain Meadow Drive. Gregory James Gay was born on February 23, 1987. While our careers were important to us, nothing was more meaningful than being home as a family.

Seminal Events include: 1980--John Lennon shot and killed. 1980--Ronald Reagan inaugurated. 1986--Challenger disaster. 1989--Fall of Berlin wall. Cultural memorabilia include "The Simpsons", ET, and Cabbage Patch dolls.

the 70s "College & falling in love. Bob & Cindy"

Bob and I met in 1973 while students at WVU. Bob was a teaching assistant in J120, the photography class I took as a junior. It was love at first sight. We spent our free time together, with cameras in hand. After graduation and my Dietetic Internship in Richmond, we married in 1976. Our careers took us from Morgantown to Huntington, where Bob worked at the newspaper and I worked at St. Mary's Hospital.

Seminal events include the Watergate scandal and massive layoffs in US corporations. "The Brady Bunch" was a popular TV show and platform shoes were introduced.

If you look closely at the photos in the "negative strip" you'll see Bob's famous Streaker photo. Hundreds of students gathered in front of the Mountainlair student union to witness this epic event and Bob captured it on film.

the 60s: "Learning & having fun. Family & Friends"

In 1962 John Glen circled the earth. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 and in 1969 we watched the first man walk on the moon. Hula Hoops were in and "Laugh-in" was on TV.

In school, I made a lot of friends. I was active in Scouts and church youth groups. As a teenager, I was lucky to have a local "Teen Town" where I danced to live bands on Saturdays and DJs on Fridays. I most enjoyed summers. As a family, we went on picnics and to fairs and horse shows. When I was thirteen, we got a pool and my friends would come and swim.

Bob first became interested in photography at age 12. His neighbor, Bill Mucklow, had a darkroom in his house, lent Bob a camera and paid him to develop some of his film. Bob and his friend, Jim Wolfe, took pictures of the Oak Ridge Boys and sold them some of their shots. Bob was an Audiovisual Assistant in high school and took pictures for the newspaper. He even got some jobs shooting weddings.

The newspaper clipping was from the Charleston Daily Mail when Bob was "Cornered by the Camera" by staff photographer Chet Hawes who later became Bob's coworker.

the 50s "Pretend & Play. Home & Mom"

Those of us born in the 1950s remember Ed Sullivan, TV dinners & the polio vaccine. I was to young to remember Rosa Parks and even the Civil Right Act.

Here's some of what I remember from my early childhood:
"We lived in a house near my father's garage. My sister, Terry, was five years older. When she was in school, I sang to records, played on the swing set and played cowboys with the neighbor boy. Going to school at age six was tough for me being separated from my mother for the first time."

Bob remembers:
"I played with toy guns and soldiers, matchbox cars and tanks. I had many neighborhood friends in St. Albans. Steve Woodard was my best friend. In the picture where I'm looking out the window, I was vacationing in Florida and got the mumps. The group shot is my Kindergarten class at St. Andrew's Methodist Church."

Portals

"On the cliff top of Harper's Ferry we see 3 states and 2 rivers. It's a good place to stop and take a picture, reflecting on the season and new year we're about to enter."

This is the place John Denver refers to in the song "Almost Heaven, West Virginia". This is the only spot the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River meet.

Bob hung his camera in a tree to get the self portrait.

"Portals" Inspiration

The inspiration for the layout started with a sign on a store front in Berkley Springs, West Virginia. We were on our way to Harper's Ferry for an overnight stay. "Portals" means "entrance" and I thought this fit with the beautiful scenery in the first picture taken at Harper's Ferry. I saw the quote on a plaque in a gift shop while there too. "Live by the sun, love by the moon" was easy to remember and fitting.

2010

Olde Tyme Christmas

"In a special Yuletide of 1864, Harpers Ferry soldiers attempted to create their own version of Christmas at the front while recalling happier ones at home.

In our trip here in 2010, I learned that Santa Claus, as we know him, came about because of the American Civil War. I am certain that this Santa was one of the best I've ever seen."

The 'Soldiers Free Writing-Table' sign says: "Papers and envelopes free. Come in and send word home; they want to hear from you. Sit down and send a few words home. If you have no postage stamps, leave your letter in the box; we will stamp and mail it."

Digital Element (Basic Grey Texture "Dasher")

All About First Graders

My sister Terry Michael retired this year after teaching first grade for 40 years. After student teaching in Morgantown, "Mrs.Michael" accepted her first teaching position at Easton school. When her husband Nelson graduated law school, she taught 37 first grade classes at Fountain primary school in Mineral County (WV). When asked about her years of teaching, Mrs. Michael said "Time goes by so fast when you're having fun".

Journaling:
"This is what I would tell a beginning first-grade teacher" (copyright: Terry Michael)

"On the first day of school, assure children that it's ok to be nervous--the teacher is too! Things always look better by the middle of September. Smile a lot, but be firm. Pay attention--try NOT to miss the signs of problems. Never leave the children alone-too much can happen. Teaching 1st grade is never boring! No two classes are the same. No two students are the same. No two teachers are the same. ALL kids need love and somebody to listen to them. Know when a child really NEEDS your attention, not just WANTS attention. Roll with the punches. Be prepared-plan for twice as much as you think you'll need. Make sure you have everything you need before you teach a lesson. Have LOTS of Band-Aids and tissues. Take LOTS of pictures. Eat lunch with the other teachers. Share your problems and successes! Always have good things to say about the children-we all need praise! Prayer helps!! RELAX and ENJOY and SMILE."

Photos c1977 and 2010

Scrapbook layout modeled after Stacy Cohen's "The Big Yellow Bus" in Creating Keepsakes Magazine, September 2010.

I can't accept credit for the journaling either. Terry's colleague's made a wonderful program about her for the retirement party. I borrowed this from my Mother to make this page.

Digital Elements (Erica Hernandez "Alphabet Border") (2 Peas in a Bucket Jen Allyson "Study Hall-Blank Cards')

"Stylish" Blogger Award

I received this award today from Debbie.
Debbie, a school bus driver, has fantastic layouts of her dogs and a "Frugal Friday" column. Thank you Debbie.

I was asked to list 8 things about myself:
1) I call myself a busy body, though I hate gossip. . . I simply stay busy. 2) I'm a summer gal. 3) My husband's my best friend and the source of my inspiration. 4) I'm a middle "child" and adore my siblings. 5) I couldn't have done it without my Mom and Dad. 6) I am so proud of our boys. 7) I'm a very healthy eater. 8) I love to scrapbook.

And now to pass this on to 8 of my crafty friends:
1) Gloria
2) Alia
3) Tia
4) Peggy
5) Debbie
6) Char
7) Solveig
8) Denise

Oh Such a Perfect Day

What we are or how we feel largely depends on the people who support us. At work when customers ask if I run the cafeteria, I always reply, "we all do", it takes us all. My happiness, my creativity, largely comes from my family and Bob. I love my time off with him when I get recharged. This was one of those days. The song is on the new Susan Boyle CD, "the Gift".

Digital Elements (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8) (Paislee Press Vintage Tags)

Perfect Day Lyrics

When I saw these steps in White Park, I asked Bob to take my picture on them. I envisioned adding my journaling to the steps in the photo. The lyrics to the song fit perfectly. Bob took the photo with a long lens to compress the image even more. I used a white font so the words would be easier to see on the wooden step.

Thankful

Our boys had memorable teachers and for that I am thankful. Greg's first grade teacher, Mrs. Gren, became a WV Teacher of the Year. I am so thankful for our sons' successes. Photos 1993

I'm thankful for my family, my home, my livelihood and my memories. . . which comfort, fulfill and inspire me. Journaling 2010

Digital Elements (Little Dreamer Designs Jackie Estes "Walkabout Journalers")

That's My Boy

Chris took two girls to the Homecoming Dance this year. Jess and Sarah are both MHS graduates, now WVU students and two of his best friends. They dined, danced and hung out, having lots of fun and making lasting memories. 2010

Little Angels

"Christmas 1961 was the year my dad got his new Kodak Brownie 'Star Flash' camera. This was his first 'modern' camera and he put it into action early so he could get some action shots on Christmas morning. These two photos show my brother David and I garbed in our matching red sweaters and bow ties. The tree was placed in our dining room. My mom became the photographer for the second shot, which includes my dad and his aunt, Della Given, who lived in St. Albans for many years. My dad's camera took size 127 film and made 12 shots on a roll. As tight as he was about taking pictures, the roll from Christmas 1961 probably also has shots from summer vacation 1962." Journaling by Bob

Digital Elements (Michelle Coleman "Twilight in My Garden") (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 9)

The Bo Bunny paper came in a packet with Scrapbook Magazine.

Breezing thru Boston

Boston was the site of the 2010 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. The afternoon I arrived, I headed to town to walk the Freedom Trail. The "trail" is marked with bricks that lead first time visitors like me through history. I viewed Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church where the lanterns ("Two if by Sea") heralded the beginning of the American revolutionary war. My favorite spots were the colonial burying grounds. After 2 1/2 hours into my adventure, realizing I would not be able to turn around and get to my hotel before dark, I got a little anxious. I hurriedly followed other tourists to a water shuttle which took me back through the Inner Harbor to the Wharf just a short walk from my hotel. That was the highlight of my tour. I'm shown here the next day at the "raisin breakfast" ready to begin a full day of educational sessions. November

Digital frame (Little Dreamer Designs Michelle Coleman "Hoopla")

Scrap Yourself-the Letter "B" (Boston 'Beauty')

This is my first assignment for the design team challenge "Scrap Yourself A-Z".

When team leader Chalese asked me to do the letter "B" I was in Boston. . . so I knew I could do something centered around my time there. Here's my layout:

"Queen for a day, fairy tale princess, homecoming court. What little girl doesn't dream of these? Waking up, I don't think I could have handled the spotlight. . . but in Boston, attending the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, I became Queen at the pistachio exhibit. Adorned with my sash, holding my scepter and sitting on the throne, I loved every minute of it. 2010"

Sounds like another theme in the making...scrap places you've been A-Z!

Digital frame (Two Peas in a Bucket Sande Krieger "French Laundry Fall Photo Edges")

The rest of the alphabet posts will follow on the Scrap Yourself website.

Take Your Camera

Bob kidded "you might want to take your camera" when he took us on a ride to Gerards Fort, Pa., on a fall Saturday. We viewed men pheasant hunting, a covered bridge, and a wildlife refuge area. Another pretty area just a short drive from home.

October 2010

Made with items given to me by my friend Kate.

Dear One, Deer Two

Just 3 miles from home is White Park, where we walked farther than we drove. Arriving home, the deer in our yard were unafraid. Just to prove, there's no place like home. October 2010

I won the entire Fall Collection of digital kits from the talented digi artist Michelle Coleman. So as I sit on the couch watching WVU (win!) a football game, I prepared this layout.

Digital Elements (Little Dreamer Designs, Michelle Coleman: "I Heart Coffee" "Almost Autumn") (Two Peas in a Bucket, Stacy Marks: "August Borders") (Two Peas in a Bucket, Laina Lamb "Lace Borderlines")

Scrapbook from 1964

Next week I join my friend Alia and 8 other artists on the Scrap-yourself design team. This is my bio photo shown holding scrapbooks I've made over the decades. The book I'm holding was made summer of 1964. A very wise teacher assigned us that project to do about our summer activities. I have journaling of scout camps, drawings of badges, collections of butterflies, horse show programs and a collection of paper napkins we'd stamped using carved potatoes dipped in paint! (I'll have to remake that one!) Best yet......I used my own handwriting! The book has a 29 cent price tag on the front. I think it's priceless!

Same Twinkle

I store some seasonal clothes in an old Samsonite suitcase in our closet. When I was pulling out some warmer clothes last weekend, I pulled out this keepsake sweater I wore in 1973 when Bob and I first met as young college students. The sweater is embellished with sparkly majorettes and he called me "Twinkle" when I wore it. Here are the pictures of me taken 36 years apart in that same sweater.

Journaling:
"After 36 years, I like that I can still fit in the same shirt and that you still bring out that same twinkle in my eyes.
1974 & 2010. Same Shirt, Same Smile, Same Sentiment"

The 1974 photo was in Bob's old portfolio and titled "Girl at Rock Concert". It was taken at a Doobie Brothers Concert at the WVU Coliseum.

Digital Frames (Basic Grey) (Cottage Arts) Journaling Block (Basic Grey)

Little City Ferry

For the trip back from Ripley we followed the Ohio River on beautiful West Virginia country roads. The colorful trees we could only see from many yards away on the Interstate were now over top us. In the small city of Sistersville, we were intriqued at the sign directing us to the Ferry. Seems the townfolk would have to travel 20 miles to and from the nearest bridge. We were thrilled when told we could hop on. What a treat, only 2 hours from home.

2010

Digital Element (Rhonna Farrer "Sassy" journaling block)

Design Team Member

I am proud to announce that I have been asked to join a team of 10 international scrapbook artists on the Scrap Yourself Design Team.

The team members include:
Alia Mohammed

Chalese Knight (leader)

Gloria

Jenny

Kathleen

Margrethe

Myia

Sarinda

Tia

Yuko

More to follow. . .

Dracula Hunting

While in Romania mid September, Greg updated his status by saying: "Today, I've ridden a train through the Carpathians, climbed 1408 stairs and stood in Dracula's castle, and sat by a lake on a mountain top". Michelle commented: "You shorted yourself 72 stairs 1480".

This is a layout featuring the spectacular view from the fortress and photos later in the trip when they toured the island where Dracula was to have been buried.

Journaling: "Transylvanian born Vlad 111 Dracula is revered as a folk hero by Romanians for driving off invading Turks. In this fortress high atop a mountain "Vlad the Impaler" is said the have killed many civilians. Killed in 1474 fighting the Turks, Dracula's head was cut off. He was buried at the isolated Snagov Monastery. Though the corpse disappeared, Greg & Michelle cross Lake Snagov "vampire hunting". 2010

Digital Elements (Cottage Arts "Scrap Edges 8") (Kate Teague "Damaskalicious 2) (Lauren Reid Worn Rub Alpha "D")

The Force Runs Strong in Our Family

"One of my favorite Halloweens was in 1997 when Chris was 4 years old. We had a Star Wars promotion at work and I dressed as Princess Leia and Chris as Darth Vader. He entertained our guests and we both were exhausted at the end of a very fun day."

The title is an actual quote from one of the Star Wars movies.

Digital Elements (Shinelle "Pretty Label") (Michelle Coleman "Urban Color" Grungy Photo Overlay)

Time and Time Again

"The Blennerhassett family built an estate on this Ohio River Island in 1798. They fled the island when accused with Aaron Burr of plotting treason in 1806. Our family enjoyed visiting this now West Virginia State Park when the boys were 12 and 6. Eleven years later, many things were still the same, the adventure of the sternwheel ride to the island, the beautiful tree groves, and the smiles on our faces the entire time. 1999 & 2010"

While looking at the old photos, Bob and I recalled many fond memories most of which centered around the kids. Many of our pictures of the island looked the same. I liked Bob's photographer comparison:
"Photo Vest, Photo Vest
Nikon, Nikon
Film, Digital"

Digital Elements: Journaling Block (Jessica Sprague "Echos of Asia") Frame (Jessica Sprague "Companion Kit")

Botanic Gardens Morgantown

We live in the beautiful hills of West Virginia, so we didn't have to go far to find gorgeous fall scenery. Morgantown's Botanic Garden was once the Tibbs Run reservoir. It is filled with plants in their natural habitat.

2010

Photographer's Tip: When I commented I was disappointed there weren't any puffy white clouds in the horizon of the reservoir shot, Bob suggested I get the leaves in the top of the frame to provide that contrast. It worked!

Digital Elements (Jen Allyson "Festive Borders" Two Peas in a Bucket) (Little Dreamer Designs "Thankful Heart" Book Plate) Font (Floral 2)

10 People 10 Places 10 Eras

On this notable calendar day, I invited Dad's cousins to go with me to breakfast at his house, then to the cemetery and old neighborhoods. The places, people and eras we talked about numbered 10, 10, 10 and more.

October 10, 2010

Digital Elements (Paislee Press "Vintage Tags") (Sande Krieger French Laundry "Fall Photo Edge")

Consecrated Ground

When I was a young grade school student I recited the Gettysburg address from memory at a parent assembly. I doubt that I fully understood the meaning of the words. Visiting the Gettysburg battlefields many years later, it's not hard to understand the holiness of the ground here and the true meaning of equality and country.

I purchased the Gettysburg Die Cuts at a very nice LSS in Gettysburg called "Forevermore Scrapbooks". They have many rooms full of patterned paper. They also sell the Civil War papers and die cuts on line.

September 2010

CK

I like it when people call me by my first name, Cindy, Cin, or even CK. Chris calls me Cindy at times, or Mother. Greg's always referred to me as Mom. I fondly remember my Uncle Harold calling me Grinner. Bob sometimes calls me Babydoll. Though I've never thought of myself as a princess, Bob says I am his queen. "He is my knight and would lay down his life for me". 2010

Digital Elements (Stacy Marks "August" Two Peas in a Bucket)

In the Middle

There was five years difference between older sister Terry & I, then five years between younger brother Jimmy & I. Eight years later, when our sister Amy was born, Jimmy became a middle child too.

I remember the excitement of the new baby (a boy!) though I don't remember my Mom pregnant. Isn't she beautiful in this 1958 photo? Mom was 33 years old then, posing with Jimmy in our back yard. Photo by Dad.

This layout is modeled after a layout by Lucyloveslee on Scrapbook.com.

Digital Element (Basic Grey "Notes")

Wind in Your Hair

Last year when we traveled the Lincoln Highway from Chambersburg to Bedford we did not notice the mural painted on the side of the fruit market at St. Thomas, Pa. This year we took pictures. All the nice fall pictures we took along the way will have to wait as I had too much fun with this one photo. I cloned our heads (pictures taken of us the day before on a very windy day in Gettysburg) into the car on the mural and proceeded from there...........we laughed and laughed. The slogan painted on the side of the barn is my title:

"Wind in your hair, feeling alive, the great institution......the Sunday Drive!"

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Punches were a gift from my friend Julie Bonner.

Old Guys Rule

It is only because I'm a year older that I could get away with this title, but I think Bob liked it! At 56, he's earned the respect of colleagues, his readers, friends and family. It's the way you live, not the number of years!

2010

Digital Elements (Emily Powers "Photology") (Jackie Eckles "Walkabout Journalers" by Little Dreamer Designs)

Fortresses & Castles (Romania)

Bob says it's a small world to Greg & Michelle. Their work, studies and pleasure have taken them all over the world. This September Greg presented a paper at the Promise conference in Romania. Michelle joined him for tours throughout the "vast and beautiful" country. 2010

Digital elements (Olde Mouldy Labels by Chelsea Parsons)

Jim & Nettie

My Mother wrote the journaling for this layout on her paternal grandparents, James A. & Jeanetta Llewellyn Mullan. They were born in 1868. My mother grew up close to them and has many fond memories.

"Granddad and Grandma Mullan were married for more than 50 years. They had 4 kids: Russell, Vista, Estel & Ethel (twins). Granddad was a great story teller. Grandma taught me to crochet and many things. She was the queen who sat on the throne (her rocking chair)."

Photos c1890.

Digital Element (Basic Grey Motifica Flourish)

Between Chapters

The start of Chris' senior year was an emotional one for him. Many of his friends were starting college and he felt left out at times. Three weeks later, Chris is back to spending time with both circles of friends. He says he does the same things, like hanging out and going places together, with all his friends. "We do everything there is in this one horse town to do!". Under the books covers I wrote names of some friends from MHS and from WVU and some of the things they do together.

Journaling: "While Chris is a high school senior, many of his Morgantown friends are now freshman at WVU. I've always said he's lucky to be a townie. It's great to be able to stay close to so many friends."

Photo by Life Touch. 2010

Star Award

My friend Char at Scrapsational scrapsational-char.blogspot.com sent me this award. Char makes great layouts of children. In turn I have to answer two questions:

1) What's the best project I ever made?
I made an album for my Mom about her life. When gathering photos and information,I drove my parents around their town and took pictures. We took pictures of houses they'd lived in and talked about things they did in the years past. I made pages at each location complete with journaling. It meant so much to all of us.

2) Why do I scrapbook?
Lots of reasons: As Char said, you get to relive the moment twice. Also, I like to preserve the heritage. It's something Bob and I can do together. And it helps me to keep my mind off of worries at work.

Now I am to pass the award on to three people:

1) Cheryl at Cheryl's Passion cherylspassion.blogspot.com. Cheryl's layouts are so unique and her favorite holiday is approaching!

2) Darlene at ScrappyGoLucky scrappygolucky.blogspot.com. Darlene is so generous she posts contests on her blog every Friday!

3) Lynn at Scrappyhappymom scrappyhappymom.blogspot.com. She is such an optimist!

Now Cheryl, Darlene and Lynn are to pass it on!

Grandview Cemetery

The Grandview Cemetery's historical significance comes from the Johnstown Flood of 1889. Many of the 2,209 people who lost their lives in the flood are buried here. This day marked the most US civilian deaths in a single day before 9/11 and whole families were lost. The Unknown Plot contains the bodies of 777 unidentifiable flood victims. There is a monument on each grave. A memorial to Revolutionary War soldiers whose graves were destroyed in the flood is also here.

Grandview Cemetery Details

I loved these digital lace borders and added one to my journaling strip in black and white. I then colored in the circles with sparkle glue by Studio G which I found in the dollar bins at A.C. Moore!

Digital Element (Two Peas in a Bucket "Lace Borderlines" by Laina Lamb)

World Famouse Horseshoe Curve

On the second day of our Labor Day getaway, we took the heritage trail out of Altoona to the "World Famous Horseshoe Curve". There we were able to walk the scenic steps to the curve to view the working railroad up-close. The Visitor's Center was entertaining and the surrounding area had tunnels, a lake, reservoir and dam that were so pretty on this cool September Sunday.

Journaling:
"The historic Horseshoe Curve is one of the few places in North America where the public can view a working railroad up close. In the mid 1800s as railroads moved west across America, Pennsylvania railroad engineer J. Edgar Thompson designed the tracks to climb gradually along the contour of the Allegheny Mountains. 50 trains a day can be viewed here."

2010

Dimensional Stickers

I took this idea from my friend Keandra at kiwithekreator.blogspot.com on creating dimensional stickers. I simply made 4 prints of the same image and cut out smaller segments of each, attaching them to the larger photo with foam squares. I liked the interesting result it created out of ordinary photos.

Getaway

I had so much fun with these pictures and layout, just like I had on the trip. The fun picture of me taken at Fort Bedford has become my wallpaper on my home desktop (think I should use it at work?).

Journaling:
"For our anniversary getaway, we drove Rt. 220 to Bedford and Altoona, Pa. The weather was perfect and we had a ball. 2010"

To area scrapbooking fans: I found a great store near Altoona called "The Scrap Yard". Sandy, the owner, was very accommodating. There were several croppers there having a ball. She had great paper selection, embellishments, ribbon, paint and more. And there was an on line coupon.

Digital Elements (Tag: Cherie Mask "Thrilling October") (Overlay: Michelle Coleman "Grungy") (Overlay: Cottage Arts "Scrap Edges 8")

Sentimental Journey

Ever since Bob was a little boy he was fascinated with anything military. On a vacation to Nashville in 1964, Bob talked his Dad into driving 200 miles out of his way so that he could see a B-17 bomber. The plane was on a pedestal, way over his head, and Bob was allowed to take two pictures. Last week Bob had a dream fulfilled. He was assigned to cover a commemorative Air Force event at Morgantown Airport where the public could view a B-17 bomber. Bob couldn't believe it when the pilot asked him to join them for a media ride with the photographer sitting in the bombardier's seat. It was a thrill of a lifetime and a "Sentimental Journey" for Bob.

August 2010

30 Years & Counting (2006)

This layout was made 4 years ago commemorating our 30th Anniversary. That year we got the rain that followed Tropical Storm Ernesto. This year we missed the aftereffects of Hurricane Earl. No matter what the weather or where we go, I have fun just because I'm with Bob.

The title was taken from the sentiment Bob wrote on my card that year "30 years and counting, and I have loved you more everyday".

Journaling:
"Our annual overnight trek to celebrate our anniversary was not marred by Tropical Storm Ernesto. In fact, it gave us even more reason to get closer walking under one umbrella in the park of Hancock, Md. and on the streets of Berkley Springs, WV.

2006

Won't Let Go

We were married on Labor Day weekend 34 years ago. My Mom and Dad were married a day and 30 years before us. They are our role models for a good marriage.

Here's my layout commemorating this anniversary. Photo by Chris.

Journaling: "After 34 years of marriage, we've made so many memories that I'll never let go."

2010

Digital Element (Stacy Marks, 2 Peas in a Bucket)

Digital

My Top Ten

I saw this on Michelle's blog michelebeck.blogspot.com, also on Celine's site thegreenfrogstudio.typepad.com and on Caro's site. caroscrap.canalblog.com

I didn't have to go back very far, as I have so much fun with all my layouts.

What's yours? Let's share!

Finding a New Home

Bob's work as a newspaper photographer has it's share of sad moments, but here's a story with a happy ending:

"I was invited to photograph the release of a young bald eagle that had recovered from an injury after treatment by the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center. The eagle was an immature male, less than 1 year old. The bird weighed several pounds and had a wing spread of about six feet. It was released from the deck of a home on Cheat Lake and promptly flew off along the shoreline, to find a new home in the wild."

Journaling and photos by Bob. 2010

Editor's notes: Bob's camera can shoot 8 frames per second. The eagle was so anxious for freedom, it was out of sight in just a few frames. I made the background paper by scanning the packaging behind the Tim Holtz mask and then copying and pasting the black flourish on to my cardstock.

Digital Overlay (Michelle Coleman "Grungy") (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 4) Digital Journaling Block (Kate Teague)